October arts and entertainment events in Vermont might just warm your soul
Brent HallenbeckWhat’s that in the air? The first crisp hints of fall? The sound of crunching, fallen leaves beneath your feet? The smell of pumpkin-spice lattes in seemingly every other person’s hands?
Maybe. But you know what else is in the air in Vermont right now? Arts and entertainment are in the air. October is the month that many theater companies get into full swing, concerts move almost entirely indoors and colleges dive into their eclectic arts schedules.
Between apple-picking and pumpkin-carving plans, maybe you can squeeze in a few of these events that just might warm your heart and soul.
(See previous Burlington Free Press articles for more detail on the fall theater season and Halloween events.)
Eine kleine nachtmusik in Stowe
Through Saturday, Oct. 15, the Stowe Theatre Guild offers up the Stephen Sondheim production “A Little Night Music,” Town Hall Theatre, Stowe. $15-$20. www.stowetheatre.com
Vermont Stage (finally) presents ‘Pitmen Painters’
Through Sunday, Oct. 16, Vermont Stage finally presents its pandemic-delayed production “The Pitmen Painters,” Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. $31.05-$38.50. www.vermontstage.org
‘Spring Awakening’ this fall
Through Sunday, Oct. 23, the Tony Award-winning rock musical “Spring Awakening” presented by Northern Stage keeps going from its Sept. 27 opening in the Byrne Theater, Barrett Center for the Arts, White River Junction. $10-$69. www.northernstage.org
Woody Guthrie tunes in Weston
Through Sunday, Oct. 23, “Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie” continues its run that began Sept. 28 at the Weston Theater Company, Walker Farm Theater, Weston. $25-$74. www.westontheater.org
Art exhibit at St. Michael’s College
Through Friday, Oct. 28, New York multimedia artist Michele Brody will present her solo exhibition “Papers of Place,” McCarthy Arts Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester. Free. www.smcvt.edu
Open Studio Weekend hits Barre
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 2, Open Studio Weekend, which throws the doors open on places where Vermont artists create and display their work, includes sessions featuring artists Tracey J. Hambleton, Karen Henderson, Georgia Landau, Michelle Lesnak, Maggie Neale, Anne Sarcka, Athena Petra Tasiopoulos, Janet Van Fleet and Pamela Wilson, Studio Place Arts, Barre. Free. www.studioplacearts.com
Cornel West speaks at the Flynn
6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, renowned author and activist Cornel West takes part in the Diversity Speaker Series in an event presented by the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center at the Flynn, Burlington. $10-$43. www.flynnvt.org
Stowe hosts Brian McCarthy Jazz Orchestra
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, Vermont saxophone player and composer Brian McCarthy leads his 17-piece Jazz Orchestra featuring trumpet player Ray Vega, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe. $20-$35. www.sprucepeakarts.org
Americana and amphibians
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, it’s possible you didn’t know there was such a thing as the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, an organization that tracks information meant to protect Vermont’s wildlife habitat; if so, you almost certainly don’t know about the fundraising concert taking place that features Vermont Americana musicians Patti Casey and Colin McCaffrey, Salisbury Congregational Church. $22 in advance, $25 day of show. www.vtherpatlas.org
Acoustic musicians in Lincoln
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, acoustic musicians Eli West and Joe K. Walsh are the latest performers at the Ripton Community Coffee House’s on-the-road concerts at Burnham Hall, Lincoln. $15-$25. www.rcch.org
‘Dark country’ band visits Higher Ground
8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, the dark-country trio Lost Dog Street Band joins The Local Honeys in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25 in advance, $27 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
‘Words Out Loud’ series ends season
3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, Vermont author/musician Brian Clark and essayist Jericho Parms showcase their work for the final presentation in this year’s “Words Out Loud” reading series titled “Where Text Meets Sound: Vermont Writers Across Genres,” Old West Church, Calais. Donations suggested. www.kentscorner.org/2022-readings
Free performance of ‘Pinocchio’
4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, Very Merry Theater stages the family-friendly production “Pinocchio,” O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington. Free. www.verymerrytheatre.org
World-music vets at Zenbarn
8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, longtime world-music purveyors Toubab Krewe settle into Zenbarn, Waterbury Center. $18 in advance, $20 day of show. www.zenbarnvt.com
Hip-hop artist in South Burlington
8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, veteran hip-hop performer Brother Ali headlines a show with MaLLy and DJ Last Word, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $20 in advance, $25 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Author/storyteller/activist/musician in Vergennes
7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, author, storyteller and activist Stephen Jenkinson is joined by singer-songwriter Gregory Hoskins and a band for a performance titled “Nights of Grief & Mystery,” Vergennes Opera House. $39-$49. www.vergennesoperahouse.org
Halvorson’s hosts musical fundraiser
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, the weekly Courtyard Music Series that raises money for local charities continues with a performance by The Collin Craig Band, Halvorson’s Upstreet Café, Burlington. Free; donations accepted. www.halvorsonsupstreetcafe.com
Langhorne Slim slides into South Burlington
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, Americana musician Langhorne Slim follows Charlotte Rose Benjamin to the stage in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25 in advance, $30 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Montpelier hosts Sondheim revue
Thursday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 23, the musical revue “Side by Side by Sondheim” arrives at Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall Arts Center. $10-$35. www.lostnationtheater.org
‘Chicago’ comes to Burlington
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, the Broadway musical “Chicago” stops for one night only at the Flynn, Burlington. $36-$98. www.flynnvt.org
Vermont musicians shine in Showcase Lounge
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, it’s a Vermont-centric lineup with Troy Millette & the Fire Below, the Ryan Sweezey Band and Chris & Erica play the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Celebrating foliage, art in Stowe
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 9, the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival features arts and craft from more than 150 creators as well as food, drink and live music, Topnotch Field, Stowe. $10-$12; free for ages 14 and under. www.stoweartsfest.com
More:Fall foliage update: Yellows starting to show in northeastern Vermont
Opening reception at Montpelier Art Walk
4:30-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, an opening reception during Montpelier Art Work features the solo exhibition of artist Axel Stohlberg, Vermont Supreme Court Gallery, Montpelier. Free. www.vermontjudiciary.org/about-vermont-judiciary/vermont-supreme-court-gallery
Hollywood screenwriter’s film makes Vermont premiere
5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, the latest film by Hollywood screenwriter and Morristown resident John Fusco, the Hawaii-set movie “The Wind & the Reckoning,” makes its Vermont debut as a fundraiser for Stowe’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rocks! celebration (see below), Stowe Cinema. $50. www.stowevibrancy.com/events/indigenous-peoples-day-rocks/
‘Almost, Maine’ is totally in Vermont
Friday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 15, the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” is staged by The Shelburne Players, Shelburne Town Center. $15-$20. www.shelburneplayers.com
‘Admissions’ staged in Vermont college town
Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 16, the Middlebury Acting Company stages the Joshua Harmon drama “Admissions,” Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $15-$30. www.townhalltheater.org
Vermont hip-hop stars play free show
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, local hip-hop artists who are making their marks nationally, North Ave Jax and 99 Neighbors, perform with guests Real Ricky, the UVM Elites, Abizo and Hakim Xoxo, City Hall Park, Burlington. Free. www.eventbrite.com/e/love-kelly-presents-free-outdoor-hip-hop-concert-celebrate-local-artists-tickets-422149539637
Theater company presents Neil Simon play
Friday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 22, the Essex Community Players tackle Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” Memorial Hall, Essex. $14-$18. www.essexplayers.com
‘The Great Gatsby’ gets radio treatment
Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 23, the Valley Players perform a 1940s-radio-style script reading of a theatrical version of “The Great Gatsby,” Valley Players Theater, Waitsfield. $14-$18. www.valleyplayers.com
Bob Marley’s band brings it to Barre
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, reggae legend Bob Marley’s band, The Wailers, play the Barre Opera House. $25-$42. www.barreoperahouse.org
Soulful rockers top the bill
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, high-energy soul-rock group The Commonheart follows the southern Vermont duo Melanie & Ida Mae, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15 in advance, $17 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration in Stowe
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, the third-annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rocks! celebration begins with live indigenous musical performances including Chief Donald Stevens and the Nulhegan Drummers, Jesse Bowman Bruchac and Bryan Blanchette, followed at 3:30 p.m. with a blues-rock concert that features Joe Louis Walker, Carly Harvey, The Dave Keller Band and emcee/Hollywood screenwriter/musician John Fusco, Stowe Events Fields, Weeks Hill Road, Stowe. Free. www.stowevibrancy.com/events/indigenous-peoples-day-rocks/
Rockwell Kent tours at University of Vermont
12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, Alice Boone, curator of education and public programs, leads two tours of the exhibition “Rockwell Kent: Prints from the Ralf C. Nemec Collection” that runs through Dec. 9, Fleming Museum, University of Vermont, Burlington. Free. www.uvm.edu/fleming
Pianist plays Middlebury College
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, pianist Clayton Stephenson performs works by composers including Beethoven, Schumann and Mussorgsky, Robison Hall, Middlebury College. $5-$25. www.middlebury.edu/arts
Westford Music Series hosts Americana duo
4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, husband-and-wife Americana duo The Twangtown Paramours plays the Westford Music Series, Westford Common Hall. Donations accepted.
David Sedaris brings wit to Burlington
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, humor writer David Sedaris, whose new book is titled “Happy-Go-Lucky,” makes an appearance at the Flynn, Burlington. $51.75-$62.25. www.flynnvt.org
A weekend with Michael Ian Black
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13-Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14-Saturday, Oct. 15, comedian Michael Ian Black delivers five sets of his offbeat, droll humor, Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $30. www.vermontcomedyclub.com
Mummenschanz comes to Vermont
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, the masked theater troupe Mummenschanz marks 50 years of performances with a stop at Northern Vermont University, Johnson. $15-$52. www.catamountarts.org
The Flynn presents Martha Redbone
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, folk/blues/gospel musician Martha Redbone headlines the Flynn, Burlington. $20-$29. www.flynnvt.org
Soulful rocker hits Higher Ground
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, soulful rocker Ali McGuirk, a native of the Boston area now based in Burlington, follows the All Night Boogie Band at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Chamber trio performs two concerts
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, the Chien-Kim-Watkins Trio — featuring pianist Gloria Chien, violinist Soovin Kim and cellist Paul Watkins — performs two concerts presented by the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival and University of Vermont Lane Series, UVM Recital Hall, Burlington. $5-$40. www.uvm.edu/laneseries.
RAQ is back for two nights
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14-Saturday, Oct. 15, Vermont jam-scene veterans RAQ return for two nights at Nectar’s, Burlington. $20. www.liveatnectars.com
Flight of the Conchords member goes solo
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, half of the comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie, goes out on his own in a more serious vein, hence the title of his “Songs Without Jokes” tour, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $39 in advance, $45 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Library hosts Non-Fiction Comics Festival
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, graphic novelist James Spooner delivers a keynote talk as part of the Non-Fiction Comics Festival taking place Oct. 14-16 as part of the monthlong Vermont Humanities fall festival “Where We Land: Stories That Propel Us,” Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. www.nonfictioncomicsfest.org or www.vermonthumanities.org
New York photographer plans exhibit
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, New York photographer Nick Mango explores the lives of people through their outerwear in the exhibition “Hand in Glove,” Old Firehouse, Tinmouth. www.nickmangophotography.com
Vermont Philharmonic starts season
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, the Vermont Philharmonic begins its 64th season with a concert at the Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, followed by another at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Barre Opera House. $5-$20. www.vermontphilharmonic.com
Kaki King, VSO join forces
8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, guitar whiz Kaki King takes part in the latest Jukebox string-quartet performance featuring players from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $10-$30. www.highergroundmusic.com
Vermont Youth Orchestra delivers fall concert
2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, the Vermont Youth Orchestra presents its fall concert that includes senior soloist Sam Kunin, a cellist who attends Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe. $17-$22. www.vyo.org
Musicians from Quebec in Richmond
4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, the traditional Quebecois trio E.T.E. plays the “P.M. Sundays” series presented by Valley Stage Productions, Richmond Congregational Church. $15-$25. www.valleystage.net
ZZ Top tops Flynn marquee
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, veteran Texas blues-rockers ZZ Top join Austin Meade at the Flynn, Burlington. $70-$310. www.flynnvt.org
Mardi Gras-style band marches into town
8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, the Mardi Gras Indian band Cha Wa brings its funky New Orleans sound to the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
The Flynn presents comic actor
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, stand-up comic, writer and actor Fortune Feimster takes the stage at the Flynn, Burlington. $41-$72.50. www.flynnvt.org
Mexican ensemble heads to UVM
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, Mexican trio The Villalobos Brothers bring their blend of folk, jazz and classical music to the University of Vermont Lane Series, UVM Recital Hall, Burlington. $5-$35. www.uvm.edu/laneseries
Local favorites continue Backside series
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, hometown heroes Rough Francis rock out following The Wet Ones as part of the Backside 405 series presented by Higher Ground, Pine Street, Burlington. $20 in advance, $25 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Haitian musician plays pair of shows
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, Haitian musician Wesli, whose new album, “Tradisyon,” is on Vermont-based Cumbancha Records, plays the barn at Cumbancha in Charlotte. Donations accepted. He also plays a show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, Town Hall Theatre, Woodstock. $15. www.cumbancha.com or www.pentanglearts.org
Champlain Philharmonic sets fall concerts
7:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, the Champlain Philharmonic plays two fall concerts, starting with this one at Grace Congregational Church, Rutland, followed by another at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $5-$15. www.champlainphilharmonic.org
Welsh alt-rockers play Higher Ground
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, Welsh alternative-rockers The Joy Formidable headline a show with Cuffed Up, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $20 in advance, $23 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Chicago indie-rocker heads to Johnson
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, Chicago indie-rocker Nnamdi plays songs from his new album, “Please Have a Seat,” Northern Vermont University, Johnson. $10. www.catamountarts.org
Noah Kahan sells out
8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27-Sunday, Oct. 30, Vermont-raised singer-songwriter Noah Kahan plays four (!) sold-out shows also featuring opener Adam Melchor, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. www.highergroundmusic.com
Jerry Garcia Band members play outdoors
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, Zach Nugent & the JG3 — consisting of members of the Jerry Garcia Band — play as part of the Backside 405 series presented by Higher Ground, Pine Street, Burlington. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
‘Watkins Family Hour’ settles into Barre
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, the “Watkins Family Hour” featuring Sara and Sean Watkins of Nickle Creek and I’m With Her, are joined by Willie Watson, Barre Opera House. $25-$42. www.barreoperahouse.org
Kip Moore returns to Flynn
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, country artist Kip Moore, joined by Boy Named Banjo, plays the Flynn, Burlington. $42-$162. www.theflynn.org
Matisyahu concludes Backside lineup
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, reggae/rock musician Matisyahu brings the Backside 405 series presented by Higher Ground to a close, Pine Street, Burlington. $35 in advance, $40 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
VSO features Matthew Evan Taylor
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra program “Paradise and Light” includes the world premiere of Vermont composer Matthew Evan Taylor’s piece “from despair… Light!” at the Flynn, Burlington. $8.35-$54.23. www.vso.org
Palm Saturday at Higher Ground
8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Philadelphia rockers Palm headline a lineup that includes Water from Your Eyes and Dari Bay, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. Follow Brent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrentHallenbeck.